Lady Gaga made news yet again, this time by publicly sharing during the Oscars that she was raped at age 19. Yes, she set off shock waves around the world, not just because she shared something so intimate, but because she challenged each of us to consider how we talk about rape in our own …Read more →

“She couldn’t satisfy her husband.” —Donald Trump speaking about Hillary Clinton A presidential hopeful challenges his possible rival about her sexual desirability and blames her for her husband’s affairs. Is this message of a woman’s responsibility for something familiar to you? Do you stifle your infuriation because this sounds right? Where’s your outrage? …Read more →

Wanting to be liked is important to all of us, and yes, we’re feeling the pressure on Valentine’s Day. But for you, and for many other women, this desire can move from wanting to be liked to desperately needing to be liked once a man enters the picture. For this, you pay a huge price—you …Read more →

Awareness, not deprivation, informs what you eat.” —Geneen Roth Yes, over the holidays you ate more than you wished you had, and now you feel . . . fat. Girly Thought #1: I’m Fat Become aware that the multi-billion dollar diet industry has ramped up, telling you that you need to lose …Read more →

It’s the happy holiday season, and you’re already feeling the pressure. If you’re like most of us, you’re already hearing that inner voice that pushes you to do more, reminding you that it is up to you to make this a holiday season to remember while telling you that no matter what you’re doing, it …Read more →

Have you ever met someone and thought, “Wow, here’s someone without girly thoughts!”? That’s not unusual for me. When I meet a woman for the first time, I quickly assess to see if she is measures herself against societal standards and the self-defeating thoughts I’ve named “girly thoughts.” I always silently applaud when I encounter someone who doesn’t. Alese is one such …Read more →

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. —Gloria Steinman Are you aware that most drug studies are conducted on men? This has been true for testing even “routine” medications that are taken by both women and men. The reason always given …Read more →

Have you ever read anything on Facebook that caused you to tear up? Yesterday I had that experience when reading “Husband’s Heartwarming Response to Retouched Boudoir Photos of His Wife.” In her article, Barbara Diamond perfectly captures how our toxic girly thoughts have us doing to ourselves what society does to us: focusing on …Read more →

Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sukianto/15029498813/in/photostream/ Yes, it is back-to-school time. You and your daughter have worked to get her ready. She has pushed you to buy her the latest fashions so she will fit in; you’ve bought her school supplies and paid for her haircut. Maybe you …Read more →